Thursday, January 31, 2013

RPDR s5e1 • RuPaullywood Or Bust • 28 January 2013

Last time on RuPaul's Drag Race season 4, Sharon Needles was crowned the winner. Runner up Chad Michaels was cast on RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars and won against 11 other former contestants. Manila Luzon didn't win All-Stars, and Gianni had to console himself with hours of Manila youtube watching. It still didn't make her win.

Roxxxy Andrews (Michael Feliciano) • 29 • Orlando, Florida

Jade Jolie (Josh Green) • 25 • Gainesville, Florida

Serena Cha Cha (Myron Morgan) • 21 • Tallahassee, Florida

Of the new queens, I have to admit that going into it I'm partial towards the Floridians, and for San Juan, Puerto Rico's Lineysha Sparx. Some of them have a strong online presence, and some don't, so I'm not sure what to make of that. In general, I thought this set of girls might be more put together than in the past. I am not wondering how some of them got on the show. Maybe as it progresses I'll change my mind.

What we should know at this point: Alaska Thunderfuck has finally made it onto the show, after trying to do so EVERY season.

It's about ****ing time!

Alaska is with Sharon Needles in real life. There's talk of strife between the two, but I'm not buying it. Oh, also, we learn that Alyssa Edwards and Coco Montrese have a 'history.' What I can find out for sure is that Alyssa was crowned Miss Gay America, but did not finish her year long reign. She was dethroned, or at least de-crowned, and Coco was moved up to carry out her duties. It's difficult to know what is the truth, and what is just an inflammatory comment, but it looks like Alyssa may have known all along that she wouldn't be available 24/7 to do all that she would have to do as a winner. Alrighty, that's some of the back story, and I'm not convinced my take is entirely correct. However, even if it is, it doesn't explain all of the bad blood between the two. Are they hamming it up for TV drama?

You have to ask?

What I really want is an explanation for the resurgence of the Debbie Gibson hat, Jinkx Monsoon. I'm really developing some hat hate, especially because it should be attributed to Boy George and not the copy cats.

Back to the point: Mike Ruiz is back! It's the return of the episode one photo shoot under extreme circumstances! This season the contestants were photographed in a water tank, and the results are as follows:

Jade Jolie

Roxxxy Andrews

Detox

Serena ChaCha

Alyssa Edwards

Jinkx Monsoon

Penny Tration

Vivienne Pinay

Alaska Thunderfuck

Honey Mahogany

Ivy Winters

Monica Beverly Hillz

Lineysha Sparx

Coco Montrese

Detox was pronounced the winner. Several seemed to take to the task easily and deftly. Ivy Winters is starting to remind me of Manila Luzon. (Cue the sunshine through the parting clouds for Ivy.) Alyssa fell on her way out and was attended to by a member of the Pit Crew. Was that her way of making a pass at Shawn? Everyone completed the assignment except for Alaska Thunderfuck. Or, at least that is what the powers that be would have you believe, since they didn't showcase a 'finished' photo. It's only the mini challenge, but, geez, what a first impression. No, wait a minute, she made her first impression when she auditioned for and didn't get on season one. Maybe Alaska isn't destined to go home first after all?

The main challenge is to create one's own red carpet worthy outfit from items found in a (clearly staged, clean and well-stocked) dumpster. During the work room moments we learn that Jinkx Monsoon is not only rocking the Debbie Gibson hat, but narcolepsy as well. He literally says he wears it as a badge of courage.

You knew this was coming.

How did they do on the runway?

Roxxxy Andrews

Jinkx Monsoon

Detox

Ivy Winters

Honey Mahogany

Jade Jolie

Alyssa Edwards

Coco Montrese

Vivienne Pinay

Alaska Thunderfuck

Lineysha Sparx

Monica Beverly Hillz

Serena ChaCha

I can't unsee the comment that

she looks like her head was photoshopped

onto a guy's body, due to her too-light make up,and the unnecessary cowl / collar.

So, how do they make out?

So many looks intrigue, but the judges award the win to Roxxy.

Go Orlando!

I really thought Lineysha Sparx was going to take the win, and so did she. The obvious bottom two are Penny Tration and Serena Cha Cha. Serena clearly had the worse outfit, but then a very funny thing happened during the lip synch. Penny didn't know the words, and often faced away from the judges, to attempt to hide the fact. Serena rightly was kept on.

Ya gotta look at the judges / the audience.

What is sad is that Penny Tration won the fan favorite opportunity to get on the show (like Jessica Wilde did in season two.) She was good (till the lip synch) and will be missed.

I sure hope we get to see this next week. I am certain we are in for a wonderful season.